Alaska Airlines is launching a new electronic device to make it easier for passengers to check in their luggage. Frequent flyers will be the first to test the technological novelty.
Airlines around the world continue to experience difficulties with flight cancellations and delays, long queues at airports, and confusion about the departure of passengers’ luggage. Alaska Airlines hopes to solve many problems with a new baggage check-in system.
The day before, the airline announced the launch of a new electronic baggage tag. It will allow travelers not to print out a paper receipt each time to stick it to the suitcase handle, but simply activate the device at any place without a queue and then quickly check in their luggage.
This technology allows passengers to personalize their belongings in seconds, and do it outside the airport. In this way, travelers using electronic tags can quickly check in their luggage and reduce queues at the check-in hall, while airport staff can focus on those customers who need help.
The activation of the electronic tag is carried out by the passenger himself. To do this, you only need to touch it once with the smartphone used for mobile registration. The tag has a small antenna, which reads the information transmitted from the phone. After that, all the necessary information about the flight is displayed on the screen – the same as in the paper version.
According to the developers, the innovation will reduce the time travelers spend on check-in and baggage check-in by 40 percent.
The Dutch company BAGTAG took part in the creation and testing of the device. As a result of the experiments, it turned out that the screens are durable enough for multiple long-distance flights. According to Alaska Airlines, they can withstand being run over by a baggage cart and come with an industrial-strength plastic zipper, making the tag almost impossible to rip off.
The airline will roll out the devices in phases, starting with its 2,500 frequent flyers, who will receive the tags at the end of 2022. After the “field” tests, the participants in the experiment will be able to purchase devices, this will happen in early 2023. The cost of a new useful accessory has not yet been reported.